Female Reproductive System Diseases: Uterine Cancer

According to MD Anderson Cancer Center, uterine cancer -- cancer that begins in the uterus -- is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system in the United States. The uterus is the hollow, pear-shaped pelvic organ where fetal development occurs.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) say the most common type of uterine cancer is also called endometrial cancer because it forms in the uterine lining, called the endometrium. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) report the exact cause of this cancer is unknown. Increased levels of estrogen appear to play a role. Estrogen helps stimulate the buildup of the lining of the uterus.

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There are risk factors that increase the risk of endometrial/uterine cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, fluctuations in the balance of estrogen and progesterone cause changes in the endometrium. A disease or condition that increases the amount of estrogen, but not the level of progesterone, can increase the risk of endometrial cancer.

The Mayo Clinic also lists starting menstruation at an early age or beginning menopause later; never being pregnant; older age; inherited colon cancer syndrome and taking the hormone therapy drug tamoxifen for breast cancer all increase the risk of developing endometrial cancer.

MD Anderson says fortunately, most uterine cancers are discovered early because of warning signs such as irregular or postmenopausal bleeding. Other symptoms are premenopausal or perimenopausal bleeding; abnormal vaginal discharge; pelvic pain or pressure, usually occurring in later stages of the disease and weight loss.

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